chp9

As I walked through the dimly lit corridors of Hogwarts, the bustling noise of students gradually faded into the background, replaced by the soft hum of ancient magic that seemed to pulse through the castle walls. It was a sensation I had begun to grow accustomed to, a reminder that I was now part of a world both familiar and foreign to me.

Suddenly, the sound of the system rang in my ears, startling me from my thoughts:

*"[You have piqued the interest of your peers: 700 Galleons.]*

*[You made a positive impression on every professor you studied under: one pill of bloodline purification.]*

*[Albus Dumbledore is observing you; you're on his list of students to watch over:

- Truth Negating Potion

- A bag that is linked to a sub-dimension: allows hosting living things (similar to Newt Scamander's bag from Fantastic Beasts)]*

*[You have memorized and understood the first-year Charms lessons in four hours:

- A trip to World1#$^$÷$/ duration: 1 month. (Can be used whenever you like)]*"

I stopped in my tracks, taking a moment to process what I had just received. The rewards were impressive, to say the least, but they also carried implications that made me uneasy.

The 700 Galleons were a pleasant surprise, and I made a mental note to be careful with such a large sum. It could be useful for acquiring rare magical items or potions in the future, but flaunting wealth in a place like Hogwarts might attract the wrong kind of attention.

The pill of bloodline purification intrigued me the most. If it worked as I suspected, it could refine and enhance the Targaryen bloodline I claimed to possess. This could further solidify my story about being part of an ancient, hidden magical family. But more importantly, it could potentially amplify my magical abilities. Still, I would need to research its effects thoroughly before deciding whether or not to use it.

But it was the last two rewards that truly gave me pause.

Dumbledore's interest was both a compliment and a curse. Being on his list of students to watch over meant that he was already suspicious of me. I could only assume that my name and demeanor had raised some red flags. No doubt, he had tried to dig into my supposed lineage, only to find nothing, which likely fueled his suspicion further. This made me wary of using any abilities or magic that might seem too advanced or unnatural for my age. I would have to tread carefully, playing the role of a curious but cautious student while keeping my true intentions hidden.

The truth-negating potion was an invaluable tool. With Dumbledore's Legilimency skills, it would be crucial in keeping my thoughts and intentions private.

although I have the fourth skil but it never hurt to be prepared.

I had no doubt that he would try to probe my mind if he felt I was hiding something, so this potion could provide me with a necessary safeguard.

The bag linked to a sub-dimension was a practical and versatile gift. It was like something out of a dream—a space where I could store not just objects, but even living creatures. The possibilities were endless. I could use it to hide evidence, transport delicate items, or even smuggle creatures out of restricted areas. It was a powerful tool that I would need to keep hidden and use discreetly.

Then there was the final reward: a trip to another world for one month. The idea both thrilled and terrified me. I had no idea what World1#$^$÷$/ was, but if the system had deemed it significant enough to offer as a reward, it was likely a place of great opportunity and danger. I wasn't naive enough to think I could just waltz into another world unprepared. I would need to grow stronger, hone my abilities, and gather resources before even considering such a journey. Who knew what challenges or creatures awaited me there? But the allure of exploring a new world, one possibly filled with untapped magical potential, was undeniable. It was an opportunity I couldn't ignore, but it would have to wait until I was ready.

As I continued walking, my mind buzzed with possibilities. Each reward opened new doors, but they also came with risks that I couldn't afford to take lightly. If I played my cards right, I could carve out a place for myself in this world—or perhaps even beyond it. But for now, I would focus on becoming stronger, learning everything I could, and carefully building the persona of Hecate Targaryen, the mysterious and powerful witch from an ancient, hidden family.

I allowed myself a small, satisfied smile as I entered the Ravenclaw common room. The game was on, and I intended to win.

As I entered the dormitory, I casually tossed the pill of bloodline purification to my inventory . The small, innocuous object held a wealth of potential, but for now, I decided to let it be. I had other plans for the night.

At precisely 7:30 PM, I went to bed. My roommates exchanged puzzled glances but didn't question my early retreat. We weren't close enough for them to pry into my habits, and I preferred it that way. Besides, my early bedtime had a purpose.

At 11 PM, I woke up, feeling more energized than I had in days. My body hummed with anticipation as I quietly checked on my roommates. As expected, they were all fast asleep, their breathing deep and steady. Perfect.

Slipping out of bed, I whispered the command, "*Play... Sinking Shadow.*"

The card dissolved into ash in my hand, and within seconds, a pair of sleek, dark gloves materialized around my fingers. With a thought, I let my body sink into the shadows of the room. The sensation was like stepping into cool water, and suddenly, the world around me shifted into one of black and white.

In this shadow world, everything hidden in darkness was revealed. I could see the contours of the furniture, the sleeping forms of my roommates, and even the small creatures scurrying in the cracks of the walls. But the most valuable aspect of this world was its permeability. In the shadow realm, I could bypass any physical barrier as long as there was a shadow on the other side.

I moved through the dormitory with ease, slipping through the cracks beneath doors and gliding silently along the corridors. The world of black and white was eerily beautiful in its starkness, and I felt a sense of power as I navigated it.

As I walked through the shadowed hallways, I suddenly noticed a group of figures huddled together near the staircase leading down to the entrance hall. In the shadow world, I could see them clearly, despite the fact that they were invisible to the naked eye. The flowing outlines of a familiar cloak gave it away—it was James Potter and his gang, no doubt using the Invisibility Cloak, a prized Potter heirloom.

A mischievous grin spread across my face. They thought they were unseen, moving stealthily through the castle under the cover of the cloak. But in this realm, nothing could hide from me.

With a silent glide, I moved through the shadows and emerged right behind them. I leaned in close, ensuring I was as quiet as a whisper before breaking the silence with a sharp, "*Boo!*"

The effect was instantaneous. James let out a startled yelp, nearly dropping the cloak as he jumped in surprise. Sirius whipped around, his wand out in a flash, while Remus and Peter both froze in their tracks.

"Bloody hell, Hecate!" James exclaimed, his voice a harsh whisper. "How did you...?"

"Didn't anyone tell you it's rude to sneak around in the middle of the night?" I replied smoothly, stepping fully out of the shadows and into the dim light of the hallway. My grin was all amusement, but inside, I was reveling in the look of shock on their faces.

Sirius narrowed his eyes, clearly trying to piece together how I had managed to sneak up on them while they were under the cloak. "That was... impressive," he admitted grudgingly, though his tone was wary. "You've got some tricks up your sleeve, don't you?"

"Just a few," I said lightly. "Now, what are the four of you up to at this hour?"

Remus, ever the voice of reason, was the first to recover from the shock. "We were just, er, going for a walk. Couldn't sleep," he offered, though the glance he exchanged with James told me there was more to it.

"Right," I said, not buying the excuse for a second. "Well, try not to get caught. You wouldn't want to start your first year with a detention, would you?"

James finally found his voice again, flashing me a charming smile. "We could say the same to you. But, since you're one of us now, we'll keep this little encounter our secret."

"Much appreciated," I replied with a smirk. "But if you're planning on sneaking around again, you might want to keep an eye on your back. You never know who—or what—might be watching."

With that, I slipped back into the shadows, leaving the boys to their late-night mischief. As I moved through the castle, heading toward the library for my late-night study session, I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. Hogwarts was full of surprises, but I had a feeling that I would be the one dishing out most of them.

>>>General pov

As Hecate vanished into the shadowed corner, Sirius, still stunned, couldn't shake off the disbelief. Without thinking, he stepped out from under the cloak and hurried to the corner where she had disappeared. He reached out as if expecting to find some hidden passage or trick, but instead, his hand met nothing but the cold, solid stone of the wall.

"How…?" Sirius muttered, his voice tinged with frustration and confusion. It didn't make sense. He had been watching her closely—one second she was there, the next, gone without a trace. Magic like that was beyond what they had learned so far, even for someone as clever as Hecate.

James, noticing his friend's bewilderment, couldn't help but grin. "Interesting, isn't she?" he said, his tone filled with admiration. Hecate's abilities had piqued his curiosity from the moment he met her. She was different—cunning, mysterious, and clearly more capable than she let on.

Remus nodded in agreement, his expression thoughtful. "Yes, she definitely is," he replied. Unlike Sirius, he wasn't trying to figure out the 'how' just yet. Remus was more intrigued by the 'why'—why Hecate seemed to be holding back, why she kept her cards close to her chest. There was more to her than met the eye, and he had a feeling that they had only scratched the surface of her capabilities.

"She's scary," Peter muttered, glancing around nervously as if expecting Hecate to reappear out of nowhere. He had always been a bit jumpy, but Hecate's sudden disappearance had unnerved him more than usual.

"But how?" Sirius was still fixated on the mystery. He paced the corner, eyes narrowed as he replayed the scene in his mind. "She just vanished, and it wasn't Disillusionment or the Invisibility Cloak. It was something else, something… different."

"Probably something like mine," James suggested casually, leaning against the wall with a knowing smile. He knew what Sirius was thinking; after all, James had his own fair share of secrets. The Invisibility Cloak was just one of them. "Maybe she's got a trick up her sleeve, a special magic like the one that runs in my family."

Sirius stopped pacing and looked at James with renewed interest. "Like your cloak?"

"Something along those lines," James replied with a shrug. "Maybe she's got her own family secrets, something ancient and powerful. It would explain how she did it."

"But that's just it," Sirius insisted. "It wasn't just disappearing. She walked into the shadows, and it was like she became a part of them. That's not like anything I've seen before."

"Could be something to do with shadow magic," Remus offered, his voice calm and analytical. "It's rare, but not unheard of. She might have access to spells or abilities we don't know about."

Peter shuddered at the thought. "I hope she doesn't use it on us again. I nearly jumped out of my skin when she showed up behind us."

James chuckled, clearly amused by the whole situation. "Relax, Wormtail. She was just having a bit of fun. If anything, I'd say she was testing us, seeing how we'd react."

"Testing us?" Sirius echoed, finally tearing his gaze away from the wall. "You think she's trying to figure us out?"

"Maybe," James replied, his smile widening. "Or maybe she's just seeing if we're worth her time. Either way, she's someone to keep an eye on. There's more to her than meets the eye, and I, for one, am looking forward to finding out what she's hiding."

Remus, always the more cautious of the group, nodded in agreement but added, "We should be careful, though. If she's as powerful as she seems, we don't want to end up on the wrong side of her."

"Agreed," Sirius finally said, his curiosity still simmering but tempered with a new respect for Hecate. "We'll keep an eye on her. But if she tries anything funny…"

"Then we'll handle it," James finished, his tone confident and unwavering. "But for now, let's just see where this goes. She could be a valuable ally, or at the very least, an interesting friend."

With that, the boys huddled back under the Invisibility Cloak, their minds buzzing with thoughts of the girl who had just left them in the dust. As they continued their nighttime exploration of Hogwarts, one thing was clear: Hecate Targaryen was no ordinary first-year, and she had definitely caught their attention.